Labor Force

Among states, Minnesota has very high labor force participation by both men and women. A strong, skilled, and productive labor force is key to generating economic growth and maintaining a high quality of life.

Key Findings

Our labor force projections indicate slowing labor force growth in Minnesota until a low point of less than 0.1% average annual growth during the 2020-2025 period.

In 2015, 70% of all Minnesotans age 16 or older participated in the labor force (working or seeking work), including 75% of Minnesota parents with a child(ren) under age 6.

Labor force participation rates range between 80%-90% for all Minnesotans ages 20-59, but fall to 63% for those ages 60-64, 28% for those age 65-74, and 6% for those age 75+.

Adults who have earned a bachelor's or higher degree are 11 percentage points more likely to be participating in the labor force than those whose highest degree was a high school diploma (78%). Participation for those adults with less than a high school diploma was 66%.